Report of the Visit to Puerto Armuelles, Panama
December 26, 2003
Fr. Xiegdel Candanedo
Coordinator of Caritas, David, Chiriqui
On Friday, December 16, 2003 I went to Puerto Armuelles, district of Baru to visit the pastor, Juan Patricio (John Prager, CM), and see first hand the situation and the damage that the earthquake of the previous day had caused.
Fr. John told us that in about two or three days he would have completed a list of the most urgent needs of the people who had been affected by the earthquarke and then he would speak with the Bishop of David to see how and in what ways Caritas would be able to help.
We spoke with Father Osvaldo, CM and the secretary of the parish in Puerto Armuelles and they told us that they were awaiting the evaluation of the fire department with regard to the church San Antonio (Saint thony) which had sustained cracks in the walls.
The earthquake measured 6.0 on the Ritcher scale and 1,200 people were affected and about 600 houses were damaged (316 with multiple cracks and 10 were completely destroyed). Two people died — a child who was born just 14 days before and an older man who was 67 years old.
The streets in the neighborhoods of El Carmen and El Retorno were cracked. Some of the walls of the sports stadium were carcked and collapsed. Some of the houses in the center of the city had doors and bathrooms that were damaged. The hospital Dionisio Arrocha suffered multiple cracks in the walls.
The people who are now homeless have requested immediate help from the government since their homes are in need of repair or need to be totally reconstructed . In some cases people are living outside and thus protecting their belongings and loved ones. We were informed that the reconstruction would last for about 10 weeks.
The bridge over Rio Mar was closed because of the damage that was caused and the High School of Puerto Armuelles was also damaged — cracks in some of the walls. The elementary school Thomas Armuelles No. 1 will be conpletely rebuilt since it is very old and was very badly damaged.
We visited the Emergency Center which had been established in the aiport of Puerto Armuelles and saw there long lines of people requesting the fire department and SINAPROC to visit their houses and evaluate the damange that had been sustained. The government has stated that $500,000.00 is available for the repair and reconstruction of the houses. We are hopeful that this assistance will be given quickly.
On Friday, December 26th, 48 houses had been demolished and 14 more remained to be demolished (these houses were in the neighborhoods of El Carmen and El Retorno. I was told that rice and beans were being distributed to those who had lost their houses.
According to long time residents of Puerto Armuelles and David, this earthquake which lasted for 15 seconds was one of the strongest that the area had experienced. During the days following the earthquake the area was still trembling with over 200 after shocks.
Little by little the area is becoming calm once again and it is hoped that by Monday, December 29th life can return to a somewhat normal condition.
I am thankful for the telephone call of Hector Endara on December 25th, the national coordinator of Caritas who expressed his concern and offered his help to the people of chiriqui who had been affected by the earthquake.
copies of this report were sent to:
bishop jose luis lacunza, bishop of David
Rev. Moises Gaitan, Pastoral vicar of the Diocese
Hector Endara Hill, national coordinator of Caritas
translated by Charles Plock, C.M.
For updates on the Iran quake see
Catholic Relief Services
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Tags: Disasters, Videos
